Rabbits as Pets?

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said: “Give gifts to each other; for it removes the ill feelings of the heart” (Tirmizi, Hadith #: 2130, Narrated by Abu Hurayrah)
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Q. Is it permissible to keep rabbits as pets. Some people say I can’t keep them because they are despicable?

(Query published as received)

A. It is permissible to keep rabbits as pets. There are records in the Hadith that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) consumed the meat of rabbit. This is an indication that it was not considered to be a despicable creature.